PACRIM8 2009 Meeting

Symposium 15:

Direct Thermal to Electrical Energy Conversion Materials and Applications

Recently, there have been significant advances in direct thermal-to-electrical energy conversion materials. This symposium will highlight a combination of new theoretical ideas, new materials and new device concepts. It will focus on novel materials, various processing and synthesis methods along with technologies and applications related to direct thermal-to-electric energy conversion, specifically: thermoelectrics (TE), thermionics, and thermophotovoltaics. Thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of new materials and the processing of those materials into device structures will be emphasized. The symposium also intends to highlight material & device-design innovations that lead to higher efficiency thermal to electric energy conversion technologies. Theoretical studies of transport properties, band structure and crystal chemistry of materials, thermodynamic analysis and energy transfer will also be included. Experimental efforts will include new capabilities in solid-state synthesis, new bulk materials, thin films, superlattices and nanostructured materials. We plan to hold joint sessions with the SPS symposium in order to further explore the potential of this processing technique. New developments in material property and device performance measurements will also be highlighted.

Proposed Session Topics

* Oxides and Other Materials With Strong Electron Correlation

* Theoretical Guidance to High Efficiency Thermoelectric Energy Conversion

* New & Emerging Technologies for TE Power Conversion

* High Efficiency Bulk TE Materials

* Composite and Nano-Composite Thermoelectrics

* Functionally Graded Materials

* Thermoelectrics Related to Harvesting Solar Energy

* Thermophotovoltaics and Other Related Topics

* Low Dimensional Aspects of TE Materials

* Synthetic Strategies for Preparing Novel Materials and Compounds

* Role of Spark Plasma Sintering Techniques for TE Materials

* Processing of Bulk and Thin Film Nanostructured Materials

* Materials Property Measurement and New Measurement Techniques

* Design, Performance Testing, Fabrication and Processing of Energy Conversion

  Devices

* Device Performance Requirements for Future Applications

* Applications and New Directions in Thermal Energy Conversion

* Mechanical Properties of Various TE Materials

Symposium Organizers
Terry M. Tritt, Clemson University, USA

Anke WEIDENKAFF, EMPA, Switzerland

Ryoji Funahashi, AIST, Japan

Wenqing Zhang, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, CAS, China

Holger Kleinke, University of Waterloo, Canada

Point(s) of Contact 

Terry M. Tritt, Clemson University, Clemson, SC; Tel: (864)-656-5319;

Email: ttritt [at] clemson [dot] edu